The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

Lights, Camera, PRODUCT!

If Siobhan Carmody is your makeup artist, you can be sure you're ready for your close-up ...  The creative & talented Ms. Carmody, trained in Britain, brought her skills to Hollywood and is building a successful career working on feature films, commercials and fashion print. 

Makeup for movies is a demanding art, and often means working long hours and holding up gracefully under the pressure for perfection.  That's why it was so exciting to hear that Siobhan absolutely adores PRODUCT, and that it's found a prominent place in her 'bag of tricks'! 

Ms. Carmody contacted us over the summer, expressing her interest in trying PRODUCT pomade.  After using it on a few of her jobs, she got back in touch to let us know what wonderful results she had ... This is what she wrote:

"I love PRODUCT, and the actors I've used it on loved it, too.  On set it works great to settle those crazy flyaways that catch the light.  I can smooth down hair to give a sleek, groomed look, and can also use it to create a textured look for guys.  A little goes a long way, so there's never a fear of buildup - it's great!  Having PRODUCT in my on-set bag and in my main kit, I've gotten so many comments on it - about the very cute packaging, the great smell and the performance.  Thanks for introducing me to my new favorite hair product!"

It doesn't get much more positive than that! 

Take It From the Pros

A while back, we asked stylists who work with PRODUCT in salons and on editorial photo shoots to share with us some of their 'creative uses' of our pomade.  It's always interesting to receive some fresh instruction or a new technique from those in the business of beauty since their wisdom and inventiveness comes from spending their time coming up with new ways to enhance the gorgeousness of their clients.  A maxim for the most talented stylists is to work to bring out each individual subject's best or favorite features - to respect that uniqueness is the most appealing quality. 

So here we'll share what some of our stylists came up with, as well as this link to a super-useful article from Gwyneth Paltrow's well-rounded personal care newsletter/website, GOOP.  GP asked her stylist buddies to give some advice for quick fixes and Do-It-Yourself treatments - and they shared ideas that are easily embraceable because of their simple effectiveness.  There's stuff here that both men and women can add to their arsenals - Enjoy!

Shawn Mount, an editorial hair stylist based in New York, uses PRODUCT often in his work for various editions of Vogue magazine, high-profile ad campaigns, and more.  A master of form, Shawn creates what we like to call "hair architecture" - beautiful shapes that showcase hair texture and health.  At the end of a long shoot, Shawn told us he often likes to give the models' tired tresses a little pick-me-up by working PRODUCT through the strands (more thickly than the application used for styling) then warming it gently with a blow dryer so that its nourishing and conditioning ingredients are thoroughly absorbed.  He describes it as an "improvised hot oil treatment," and said it's incredibly restorative to hair that's been put through its paces for a demanding photo shoot.

Makeup artist and men's groomer Amy Komorowski says she "can't live without" PRODUCT when she's on the set.  Amy's roster of celebrity male clients is solid, and the standards are high.  For mens' sideburns and brows, or for shorter hair, she puts PRODUCT on a baby's toothbrush then uses it to smooth wayward or wiry hairs.  This is also a useful technique for women's brows and/or for dealing with those pesky shorter strands that are the result of hair breakage from chemical treatments and can stick up like insect antennae from the top of the head (I'm not the only person this happens to, right?!). 

We also received instructions on a fabulous styling method for wavy/curly hair from Molly, proprietress and stylist at one of our favorite salon retailers in Hollywood, Salon Goo.  We've dubbed it Molly's 'Ribbon Curl' Technique, and it goes as follows:

        1)  Melt PRODUCT thoroughly, so it's completely liquefied - either between hands or by heating it with a blow dryer.

        2)  Apply PRODUCT to wet or damp hair, roots to tips, twisting sections of hair slightly to make  'ribbons.'

        3)  Finally, blow dry with a diffuser so that 'ribbons' keep their shape.

The result is smooth, soft curls/waves with a ropy/twining shape that don't look too 'done' - a perfectly relaxed summertime style. 

Liquid Assets

PRODUCT pomade for hair is a solid substance.  But sometimes - in, say, a heat wave such as the one we are now experiencing in Los Angeles - it transforms into another type of matter:  liquid.  Average daytime temperatures here this past week have been hovering around 90 degrees, and the jar of PRODUCT that I keep in my car was definitely feeling the heat.  So I wanted to issue this PRODUCT (and LIL PRODUCT) "Public Service Announcement" about the possibility of warm-weather melting. 

If your PRODUCT or LIL PRODUCT melts, don't panic!  As the instructions on the jar state, the pomades must be liquefied before application, usually by heating it up between your hands.  So any weather-induced melting is actually saving you a step in the process!  Though it can be dismaying to twist open your jar and find a fluid when you're expecting a solid, there is nothing to worry about, and the integrity and effectiveness of the pomade has not been compromised. 

You can proceed to use your PRODUCT or LIL PRODUCT in its liquid form and wait for it to coalesce as the high environmental temperature subsides (in which case we simply recommend that you make sure the lid is sealed tightly to prevent any spillage).  Another option is to pop your jar of liquiform pomade into the refrigerator.  It will pretty quickly solidify to its original, silky smooth, buttery texture - no harm done. 

We hope this allays any anxiety for users of PRODUCT and LIL PRODUCT who have experienced this phenomenon, and we will be happy to respond to any questions and address any concerns on the subject via the Contact Us page on the PRODUCT website.

Also, speaking of melting, July 19th is - clap your hands - National Ice Cream Day!  We're fortunate to have a variety of delicious ice creameries here in the Southland, and one of the best is going to be doling out celebratory free scoops this Sunday.  Just show up at Milk in LA and utter the phrase, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" to receive a complimentary scoop of freshly made, cool and creamy decadence.  Just what the doctor ordered after this searing hot week!

Fit for Beauty

Word is definitely getting out about PRODUCT - and we're happy to see awareness of our truly unique all-natural pomade growing!  Guests at two events here in So Cal next week will get to experience PRODUCT's organic hair styling goodness ...

An organization in San Diego, Pediatricians and Communities Collaborating Together (PACCT), selected PRODUCT & LIL PRODUCT to be included in gift bags for attendees at their annual luncheon on June 5.  PACCT is a valuable program that educates University of California San Diego and Naval Medical Center of San Diego medical students about pediatric care needs in the community.  Begun at UCSD medical school in 1984 as an elective course of study, the classes evolved into a requirement for all medical residents at both UCSD and NMCSD.  PACCT's Community Pediatrics Rotation works with over 40 local community programs to discover how circumstances influence the health and well-being of children.  To help budding pediatricians develop skills as advocates for children and families, med students are encouraged to select a culture, community, or agency with whom they develop a long-term relationship for the duration of their medical residency. 

PACCT's annual luncheon acknowledges the work of these community organizers and champions for children's health, and we are proud to be a part of that show of appreciation for their efforts.

Then, here in Los Angeles, PRODUCT was chosen to be part of a slightly more glitzy event - the June 3 grand opening of a Pineapple Fitness outpost.  Pineapple is an exercise experience - the yellow and grey platforms vibrate as you work out on them, to provide constant destabilization that forces deep core muscle work just to keep from tumbling off!  (The technical term for this is "bio-oscillation").  And anyone who marveled at Robert Downey Jr.'s physique in the movie Ironman will testify to its effectiveness - he trained on a Pineapple machine to achieve those results; and word is he's back at it, buffing up for the Ironman sequel.  Originated by international fitness instructor Nick Morris, the Pineapple Fitness Revolution has been gaining ground, and high-profile adherents, since 2002. 

Whether it's giving back or getting buff, PRODUCT is excited to be a part of these local celebrations of health and wellness. 

Pro-Market Economy

May is here!  Hard to believe we're in the 5th month of 2009 already, but it's arrived ... 

About a month ago, in an effort to save money, we decided to re-institute the routine of going to our local farmers' market for produce.  We had been 'regulars' at the Sunday setup in Hollywood, but somehow in the hectic activity of everyday life we just kind of shifted to the supermarket ... We are so happy we've come back!

Last week, MNN's newsletter listed the top ten farmers' markets that they described as "a new generation of paradigm-shifters" - and our Hollywood haunt was number one on the list!  They also featured an article about how best to shop the stands ... It's been really wonderful to get our fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the source, and the quality (and flavor!) is leaps and bounds better than at the grocery store ... Highly recommended!

Also, some news to share:  LIL PRODUCT is now available at our very chic and cozy West Hollywood salon retailer, Indo Studio.  Indo's owner and hairstylist, Janet, said clients were enthusiastic about the idea of a healthy, organic hair styling option for their young ones ... We hope it's as much of a hit with them as original PRODUCT!

Get Growing

Welcome to Spring, everyone!  

Today marks the Vernal Equinox, which is the beginning of Spring in the Northern hemisphere.  This is a season of renewal and rebirth - something many of us are more than ready for. 

I'm looking forward to enjoying all that nature has to offer during this time of year:  sunshine, prodigious plant life (summer fruits and vegetables - yum!) and blooming flowers.  Since we created PRODUCT and LIL PRODUCT entirely from plant-derived ingredients, we definitely appreciate the amazing array of beneficial properties plants contain. This year the onset of Spring has got me considering our (humble and highly improvised) home garden ... and according to the New York Times I'm not the only one!

In the past we've tried to produce a little food - tomatoes, strawberries, as well as fresh herbs, which make home cooking so much more flavorful ... The results have been mixed.  This year we may try our hand at growing lettuce - should be interesting!  I also have a collection of succulents under my care; these are a good option for Southern California, which is continually water supply-challenged.  Plus, I just love their unusual shapes and the fact that they're delightfully low-maintenance. 

BBC online has some helpful organic gardening tips for those just getting started.  Their site schools budding gardeners on the fundamentals and upkeep, as well as more advanced practices like composting, pest control and more.  Gardening can serve many purposes - you can plant hedges for privacy, trees for shade, ground cover as a barrier to assist in protecting your home from wildfires, or certain flora as an attraction for animals and insects (hummingbirds, butterflies).  Plant life creates a habitat and an oxygen-rich environment suffused with color and life energy.  It can be a tremendously rewarding experience, as well as an instruction in patience, to watch something grow from seed, to plant, to fruit or flower ...

So if you're thinking about getting growing, the time is ripe! 

The Runway and the Red Carpet

It was a big week for fashion and spectacle (if you're into those things!).

Fashion Week took place in Bryant Park in NYC, with all sorts of discussion about the effect of a down economy on designers' outlook and output - as well as questions about who is still able to buy what they produce.  And that is indeed a perplexing question at this point ...

But the runway exhibitions and the other big event this week - The 81st Annual Academy Awards, held Sunday - do allow audiences a bit of escapism, along with a chance to appreciate art and creativity.  The feelings we experience when looking at a beautiful piece of clothing or when watching actors play out a scenario that connects with a core part of our humanity are worth so much, it's difficult to put a value on it.  But the marketplace must function, so value is assigned ...

I, for one, took the opportunity to retreat from my reality and enjoy the Oscar broadcast.  It was nice to watch people being recognized for their artistic contributions, celebrating each other with a spirit of camaraderie.  I also (wistfully) browsed the online slide shows of runway collections, knowing full well that I will be exercising my personal creativity with the current contents of my closet for the next little bit.  But the red carpet and the runway were lovely to take in, and I came away inspired to stay in touch with my own glamour and artistry. 

Hair Raising

What a Friday this has been!  I was out and about for most of the day and delighted to see how many people were in the Halloween spirit - creative costumes, a holiday, celebratory feeling - it was a real treat. 

This week we received some blog love from the all-beauty, all-the-time nicciknows.com.  Nicci is a makeup artist extraordinaire located here in Los Angeles.  I gave her some PRODUCT to try out a couple weeks ago when she was working backstage at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and she had such good results she also decided to share it with her readers at nicciknows.  We definitely appreciate her support and enthusiasm...

Have a safe and spooky Halloween, and remember to set your clocks back this weekend - Hooray, an extra hour!!

In the Pink

Welcome to October!  We're hoping it will be a fantastic month, and we're proud to report that September was our highest month in sales since PRODUCT launched in 2007!

Also this week we added another retailer here in Los Angeles, a cute and sweet apothecary on Sunset Boulevard called Le Pink & Co.  A description on Metromix says, "This store is so delicious, you'll want to eat everything, as well as wear it."  

 

Le Pink & Co., established in 2003,  has also garnered positive reviews in the double-digits on Yelp.com, so the word is definitely out on the street that it's a beauty afficionada's destination.  Bonus:  they also do facials, and there's a place across the street that makes delectable gelato! 

(Photo credit:  Aimee Brodeur)

So, hello Sunset Junction!  PRODUCT is thrilled to be a part of things in this historically significant and currently hip 'hood...

Get Your Goat On (Bunker Hill)

Hello and Happy Friday!  Fall has definitely begun to make its presence felt here in Los Angeles - grey skies, a chill in the air, foreshortened evenings.  And Monday night we'll experience a beautiful harbinger of the upcoming season - the Harvest Moon, or the full moon closest to the autumal equinox.  There's a definite shift happening, which I find energizing... 

Just as summer is drawing to a close, so is Fashion Week in New York City.  The town has been bustling with a full roster of runway shows, and beauty editors and fashion columnists have been tirelessly reporting on the designers' fresh efforts.  Out of curiosity I was poking around on the internet trying to see if any 'green' fashion was working its way into the tents at Bryant Park...Alas, not so much popped up there this year, although Treehugger.com managed to unearth a few smaller labels that made an effort to be 'greener.'  There was an interesting article on Yoga Journal's website about innovative eco-conscious textiles made from exotic renewable resources like bamboo, sea algae, even Austrian red beech trees, and the author mentions Fashion Weeks from years past that have featured eco-fabrics.  Major designers have started experimenting with the new and intriguing materials, and hopefully will continue to do so...

I'll sign off today with an amusing bit of local news from here in LA - the Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency got back to basics and enlisted the help of a herd of goats (100 of them!) to clear weeds and brush from a section of downtown hillside...The Times online had some pictures that brought a smile to my face, so I wanted to share.  Enjoy your weekend!